Bean Salads

The combination of quinoa and beans in this salad makes it an ideal centerpiece for a warm weather meal. Enlivened with small tomatoes, bell pepper, olives, and dill, the flavor twist in this salad is a simple salsa dressing. This is ideal served with a cold soup, though for lunch, it can stand on its own. Photos by Hannah Kaminsky.more→

This adaptation of a traditional Middle Eastern salad has a great combination of flavors and textures. I especially like it with Middle Eastern- or Spanish-themed meals; though it can be a nice foil for any mild-flavored dish, as well — try it withPasta with Vegan Alfredo Sauce.more→

A feast of color and texture, this salad of baby spinach, embellished with other colorful veggies, is quick to prepare and a pleasure to serve. Serve it in larger portions as a main-dish salad, or in smaller portions as a substantial side salad. Delicious served with a pureed vegetable soup and some fresh bread. Photos by Rachael Braun.

Classic three-bean salad gets a contemporary twist with balsamic vinegar, cilantro, and sunflower seeds. It’s an easy salad you can enjoy year round, but is a special favorite to serve with summer outdoor meals and your plant-based barbecued proteins. Photos by Lori Maffei.more→

Black beans, diced mango, and avocado taste heavenly together in this delicious salad. Fresh, perfectly ripe mangos are best, of course, but they’re not always in season and occasionally unreliable. Once in a while I like to take the guesswork out of mangos and use canned (organic), which is akin to using canned pineapple—you know exactly what you’re going to get. Otherwise, tiny clementine sections work well to give little bursts of fruity flavor. more→